UCLA football team is expected to suspend at least three starters

At least three starters on the UCLA football team are expected to be suspended for violating team rules and will be ineligible to play against Oregon on Oct. 21, a source inside the program told The Times. The source was not named because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Coach Rick Neuheisel could not be reached for comment.

The team did not practice Monday and no official team meetings were held to discuss the matter. But word of the suspensions began to leak out Monday evening.

The suspensions come at a time when the Bruins are struggling to regain their footing.

UCLA was routed by California, 35-7, on Saturday and will now face the second-ranked Ducks.

It is the latest in a series of off-the-field problems for UCLA in the last two seasons.

Cornerback Courtney Viney, tight end Morrell Presley, wide receiver Randall Carroll and running back Milton Knox were suspended for one game last season for violating team rules. Knox later transferred to Fresno State.